What would you do in this scenerio?

[brian8980]

I have gotten much better with maneuvering my 22ft in tight areas, like the slips at my dock.  But I still have slight trouble backing it in so i go bow first still.  No problem even though the marina says no to that in the regs (why is that by the way) but a lot of other fishing boats do it there so I have no worries .  Now I noticed a few scratches on the 22ft sea ray next to me that backs in, I know it wasn’t from me but still.  I was on the boat Sunday cleaning it when the folks come by and in a stern but kindly manor asked "can you keep you motor down, I hit it as I was trying to pull my boat in the other day and scratched it to hell as you can see" 

Now, I told him sure and lowered the outboard and it has been that way since Sunday, but WTF  .  I don’t think there is anything wrong with the motor, had it out all weekend and was fine, no shakes or wables.  But well what would you do in this scenario?  I am thinking about asking the marina to see if I can move to a different slip so I don’t have to be next to this person.  I mean I am not the best driver in the world and it is tricky were I am at, considering the current and wind.  But I have never hit another boat before.  Also, what if something turns out to be wrong, what processes can i take then?  Any and all advice is welcome.

Gimper

[Hotrod]

I would just back her in...  you will only get better over time.  not the wind and tide when your coming in and try and adjust to it..  I took Capt Mikes and Capt. Joe's advise.. and all action are slow...  Slow..  so I can adjusts as needed and if I do run into problems..  it's a Slow..... problem.

I have to back in and I have about 6" on each side.. see avatar... I aim for the boat on my Port and let the crew help guide me in.. Most in my marine use the other boats to help guide them in..  Having your Motor out.. probably hinders his ability to grab your boat ..

After 3 years..  I haven't gotten much better.. when there is a blow..  I'm screwed and just work it in

[sealife]

Take your time so that your crew can help guide you into the doc.  Leaving the motor down is bad due to possible electrolysis and marine growth in the water passages.

[Capt. Carl]

sounds to me like its his problem and he needs to invest in a couple of boat poles. i would definately back into your slip tho just for protection of the motor itself and to keep them in the up position without worry. As he said "he scratched his boat to hell". If you ever drove your boat into my marina at low tide, with a sand bar on the starboard side and the sailboat pulpits i have to get past the port side you would understand....and if i hit one, i would blame it on my driving...not on a boat just sitting there!!!

[Luna Sea 5]

I find, on a floating dock, when you back in and lift your engines, you risk hitting your prop on the dock.  If you want to avoid this, you have keep the stern far away from the dock which then makes it difficult boarding.

Never leave your engines down, ALWAYS UP.. ]


If you go in bow first, and since your bow is higher then the dock, you can snug it closer.

I have twin engines, so  i do have great control when docking.  HUGE difference from the single engine.

[brian8980]

I am going to try the backing in, at some point.  But I do have a floating dock and getting on board will be a bit harder for the less experienced (my wife for example) .  So I should leave the motor up, i figured that.
But I still have the issue with my neighbor, even if I back in, he can still hit my bow and will I think he will.  Thats why i mentioned moving.  I would rather keep pulling in, easier to get off, easier to get in and out of the slip.  But with a jack A$$ of a neighbor......

Gimper